Happy 1st Birthday Patterns Only!

Patterns Only is turning 1!

To celebrate our little sister, Patterns Only, turning 1 we are offering HEAPS of special deals (and fantastic giveaways!) for our lovely customers!

First up, you will receive FREE POSTAGE for the whole of July (Aussie buyers only). Just apply the discount code - FP10 - at checkout (does not apply to BOMs or subscriptions). That's right, you can choose from our fantastic range of patterns and pay absolutely nothing for postage(insurance is required for all orders over $30), and you know we have all your favourites - aprons, Christmas & holidays, clothing for kids, clothing for adults, bags, quilts, softies and more!

But wait, there's more! Every new subscription signed up in the month of July will receive ONE MONTH FREE (refunded on the last month).

And because it's our birthday we also have a fantastic giveaway, for what is a party without a goody bag?

One lucky customer will win patterns for a whole year! That's right one pattern will be delivered each month for 12 months! That’s a total prize value of over $200. For every order placed with Patterns Only during July, you will receive 1 entry into the prize draw. And we will also be giving away 7 patterns every week during July.For every order placed you will receive 1 entry ( we will draw the winners on our facebook page every Thursday -so make sure you check to see if you are a winner!!!

So pop over to Patterns Only and celebrate with us during the month of July!

P.S. There will be heaps of random giveaways along the way! So stay tuned :)

In fabric Heaven

We recently attended a trade show where we where surrounded by gorgeous fabric and patterns, we were in fabric heaven!!! We have so many stunning ranges of fabric and patterns arriving for the rest of the year. Also we have heaps of clearance stock for only $12.95/yd which we will be listing soon

We were so lucky to meet some of the gorgeous Aussie Designers we love to support including Rosalie Quinlan, Lynette Anderson and Natalie Ross. What a fun bunch of girls, we had heaps of laughs and it was the highlight of the show for Judy and I. There is also an exciting new venture awaiting all of you – The Oz Material Girls and Patterns Only have joined Rosalie and Lynette  and a few other Designers for a fabulous exclusive you are going to love

Here are a few pics

Natalie Ross’s stand was too cute, all her fabulous stitcheries,toys and quilts in the most fabulous modern colours. We loved meeting Natalie, we had a good laugh, despite the fact she had almost lost her voice!!! To view Natalie’s gorgeous range of patterns click here.

 

This amazing quilt by Rosalie Quinlan features the new Flower Sugar 2 fabrics. We loved our time with Rosalie, and were amazed when she told us she made this quilt in 1 day!!!! We had lots of laughs and a new venture in the pipe line exclusive to The Oz Material Girls was born – stay tuned – To view Rosalie’s amazing range of patterns click here 

Lynette Anderson’s design oozes country goodness and as us Girls are from the country we just loved seeing Lynette’s fabulous designed and mostly meeting the lovely Lynette herself. It was just so great putting faces to the names of the Aussie designers we love to support. To view Lynette’s range of patterns click here

Saffron Craig’s stand was so adorable, featuring here whimsical designs. So many fabulous products made from her contemporary ranges of fabrics including quilts, cushions, toys, aprons and bags were beautiful displayed. To view these amazing ranges click here

New Range: Jinny Beyer's Colours of the Outback

What colours inspire thoughts of Australia for you? The earthy browns of the red centre, the aquamarine of our oceans, the blue of our vast skies?

Jinny Beyer's Outback range of fabrics were inspired by time spent in this unique corner of the world, and as a master of colour hasn't she captured it well.

Currently available by the half metre or in fat quarter bundles at The Oz Material Girls.

Which colours of the outback do you love the best?

15% off - Monaluna - Circa 50 Organic Fabric

Circa by Monuluna is the debut line of 100% organic cotton from Birch Fabrics mixes Eames Era appeal with whimsical juvenille that lends itself perfectly to all crafts including quilting, clothing, home decorating, wall art, just about anything crafty!!!

Birch Fabrics , 100% Organic Cottons, treated with love not pesticides.

See this fabulous fabric here

Tutorial: Machine Blanket Stitching

INTRODUCING MACHINE BLANKET STITCHING
You will need to have a stitch on your machine that will do a blanket stitch design. This is usually indicated by a straight line on the right and the side stitches coming out at the side toward the left, opposite to hand blanket stitching if you are right handed.

I mostly use a stitch width of between a 2 and a 2.5. I have a Janome memory craft 3500 but some machines may vary. So try the stitch out before you commence sewing. Generally you do now want the stitches to be too big. Always use a matching colour sewing cotton for the top thread. Practice before you start and as machines differ in their sewing motion, pay attention to the needle movements. This is important when you want to pivot around corners.

STEP ONE
Trace and apply your design to the fabric in the usual manner as you would when you were to hand blanket stitch. The difference between hand and machine blanket stitch is the needle on the machine is always to the right side of the raw edge on the applique piece. See photo below for needle placement. Start with a locking stitch first if your machine has one. If you have a computerised machine it will remember what movement is next after you have stopped so it's important to either end with a locking stitch to complete the motion or if your machine does not have a locking stitch or is a manual machine you will need to reset it. Otherwise when you begin sewing in another area it will start in the movement that it finished on. Not good. You will always want to start with your needle directly against the raw edge of the applique piece on the right hand side.

STEP TWO
Pivoting isn't difficult but again you need to pay attention to the movement of the needle. When you are approaching a tight corner or pointed area, stop with your needle down just before the corner and just before the needle is about to do its side movement. Lift the foot and turn your fabric slightly to align for the needle to do a stitch. Continue so it will do one movement to the side. Stop lift the foot and turn your fabric again in preparation to continue sewing. See Step two photo.

STEP THREE
Sewing inside an area e.g letters, is the same as sewing the outer edge. Always start so the needle is flush up against the raw edge on the right hand side so the needle movement will sew to the left and towards you. Always adjust the stitch size if you are going to stitch something very small. Take it down to a 1 or 1.5 Once again check this on a fabric scrap as machines do vary. See step three photo.

STEP FOUR
Pivoting an inside corner is much the same as pivoting and outer edge. Just remember not to turn your fabric to sharply and the slightest turn on the fabric or sewing foot is usually all it takes. If you turn too sharply your stitching along the raw edge will have little points. You want to keep your edges nice and smooth just like hand blanket stitching.

CLOSE UP VIEW
In this photo you will see what it looks like when you machine blanket stitch. It really is very easy and makes a nice change especially if you LOVE your sewing machine and are generally not into hand stitching that much. I really enjoy it. I like both hand and machine blanket stitch. So give it ago. You may very well find a new passion!

I did all the blanket stitching on my machine for the "My little laundry helper" kids' laundry bag pattern. Happy machine stitching!

Thank you to Natalie for this interesting insight into machine stitching. You can check out the My Little Laundry Helper pattern and the rest of the Natalie Ross in Stitches range in store at Patterns Only.

Introducing Natalie Ross In Stitches

Today we are pleased to introduce you to Natalie of Natalie Ross in Stitches, a designer with a passion for creating patterns to suit every level of stitcher :)

Tell us about you
I consider myself to be a bit nutty!! I am forever the optimist and love a glass half full attitude! Love colour, have a gigantic sweet tooth, couldn't live without my animals and must have music in my day everyday! Love living near the ocean. Always have and always will. It's feeds the soul and keeps me balanced. Well it tries too anyway. LOL!

How did Natalie Ross in Stitches come about?
I started a business called Whimsical Folke designing mainly cloth dolls nearly 10 years ago. I was designing and distributing my patterns in the same way as I am now but after 5 years of running that I took a 2 year break and went into a shop with a business partner. That was not to be and I decided to just design for the magazines and teach for a while. Being a wildly creative person that didn't last long and the itch to design patterns returned and so I started Natalie Ross in Stitches.

Tell us about your products
I love to design just about anything as long as it involves sewing and using the gorgeous fabrics that are on offer. My roots are with cloth dolls but I very much enjoy designing quilts, bags and sewing accessories. Just about anything. I also stay mindful of who will be making my designs so I like to keep them achieveable for all skill levels and that way all crafters can enjoy creating for themselves and their friends and family.

What is your favorite product?
Hmmmmmm! that's a tough one. Can I have 2? My favourite products would have to be Ladybirds on Patrol quilt and Blossom Creek BOM. I enjoyed every minute of designing and making them and they did what they were told. LOL! No problems along the way.....................

Where do you find inspiration for new designs?
I get my inspiration from all sorts of things. It could be just in a fabric, I could think up a cool design name or see or hear something funny and a vision pops into my head and away I go! See......I am a bit nutty!! :-)

What does the future hold for Natalie Ross in Stitches?
I wish I knew!! I just move forward with what I am doing and enjoy the fact that I love what I do and can make a living from it. It is hard work but I am extremely passionate about colour and design. Always have been. I am always looking out for new paths to open up along the way and as long as I can apply my designs to whatever comes along I will be a happy camper! Who know what's around the corner...................... :-) Lots of opportunities to create I hope.

You can check out the fantastic Natalie Ross in Stitches range at Patterns Only . Pop back tomorrow when Natalie shares a tutorial explaining her process for machine blanket stitching, perfect for those who want to get the most out of their sewing machine.

Bring some fun into the Kitchen - Apron Kits

Let's Do Fun
Apron Kits only $26.95
Complete with everything you need to make this fabulous designs
Available for PRE ORDER NOW

Win a City Girl Skirt by Little Bird

Would you like to win this fabulous New Pattern from Little Bird Patterns, they have kindly donated 2 patterns for 2 lucky readers

Just leave a comment below for your chance to win( you need to be a follower of our blog to win)Drawn Sunday 20th June at 8.30pm AEST

THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE MooBeeTees and Lily Mulholland

Quick and super easy to make, The City Girl Skirt is simple A-Line panel skirt is perfect for the beginner sewer, no zips, no buttons, no fuss.

Suitable for cottons for summer and heavier fabrics like denims for those chilly months.
We have the pattern available in our store now The City Girl Skirt